It should be noted that Federal sells threaded.
The Makarov cartridge uses a 94 grain projectile that chronographed at a transonic an average of 1073 feet per second (10 round average). The Mak is actually closer to a 9.2mm caliber. 380 ACP cartridge is not interchangeable with the Mak round either. Additionally, the Makarov round has a larger diameter projectile. The case on a 9x18 Makarov is a straight wall case, not tapered like the common 9mm. Be advised that the 9x18 round is not interchangeable with the 9mm x 19 commonly referred to as the 9mm Luger or Parabellum, these rounds are too powerful for a straight blow back operated pistol like the Makarov. Often the pistols are referred to as the “9mm” Makarov caliber. The reloading industry was quick to respond to owners of 9x18 com bloc pistols, by manufacturing dies, projectiles, brass and reloading data for the Mak round.Ī note of caution on Makarov and other pistols that fire the 9x18 cartridge. Even the once rare 9x18 Makarov ammunition is common today in both military surplus, and newly manufactured, commercial forms. The pistols are now inexpensive, due to the quantities imported. Since the fall of the Berlin wall and communism in Europe, previously rare communist firearms that once commanded high “collector only” prices have become commonplace. If someone had the occasion to have Makarov ammunition and a Mak pistol, they would have been considered foolish to fire it, due to the high value of both. Even the peculiar 9x18 Makarov ammo was strictly a collectors item and was as uncommon as the pistols themselves. The Makarov pistols in this country were only found in the gun collections of the affluent. These pistols were extremely rare and expensive. A few more were captured from the Russians during the Afghanistan war and somehow made their way into the United States. Some were brought to this country during the Vietnam war by returning vets. Few people in the western world had ever seen one, or even knew they existed.Ī few Makarovs had slowly made their way into the hands of U.S. A few short year ago the Makarov pistol was, one of the many enigmas from behind the communist iron curtain.